Month: January 2016

Friday night at the third annual Ozark Mountain Music Festival promised a relaxed, but danceable night at the Basin Park Hotel in downtown Eureka Springs, AR.

After a full afternoon and early evening of music from James White on the balcony, Chucky Waggs got the evening going in the Ozark Room. Chucky Waggs didn’t have to travel far to play the festival (the band is from Eureka Springs) but their music has sounds that mix what might be inspired by something further south (Louisiana-ish) with an authentic Arkansan sound.

Throughout the festival I was excited to see lots of innovative pedal powered drums. Chucky’s set has another little snare set up (it’s hiding just behind the bass drum in the above picture). So despite everyone’s fully occupied hands, he was able to add percussion. There were some really cool boards with mics for stomping and even tambourines with pedals on them. On stages as little as these, it’s really cool to get up close and check out everything that’s going on.

The Whole Famn Damily, from Conway, AR, was absolutely the most fun band of Friday night. They were loud and danceable and filled the whole Barefoot Ballroom with their sound, which is no surprise since there are eight of them on that stage! The whole crowd was on their feet for these fun folks. They’re definitely a band to check out live next time they’re playing near you.
I myself was mesmerized by the banjo mouth moments. At first, it looked like he was taking a drink out of his banjo! But no, he’s singing into it for a really neat effect. Here it looks like he’s giving the banjo a kiss!

The last band on Friday night, the Haunted Windchimes, came all the way from Pueblo, CO. I was really excited to see this band after checking them out online. They record so excellently and have such a sweet folk sound. I love when bands mix up whose singing and writing the songs like these guys were. They have some really great songs and are relaxed enough to listen to at work, so check them out on spotify!

Stay tuned for updates on Saturday and Sunday at the Ozark Mountain Music Festival 2016. Wondering what happened to Thursday’s roundup? There isn’t one! I had some car trouble and couldn’t make it up until Friday evening. Were you there Thursday? Was it amazing? Of course it was. Don’t worry folks, there’s always next year!

I was granted free access to the festival in order to share all about it right here on my blog. All opinions are most def. my own.

Are you headed to Eureka Springs, AR for the Ozark Mountain Music Festival this weekend? Already there? Bonus points for beating me to it! Don’t know what it is? Oh no! Check this out: OzMoMuFest. Ok, now we’re set to get to the list! I’m here to share my top 10 things you need to do while in Eureka Springs during OzMoMuFest.

Dance! You’re at a festival! Get up on that dance floor and move your body! I promise, you’ll have the most fun if you do.

Have your poster signed by the bands! Grab a festival poster from the merch. table and don’t be shy! The bands are all festival attendees too. This festival is intimate enough that you will feel totally comfortable engaging with band members before and after their sets.

Take a selfie with a band member. Once again, the setting’s super chill. Take advantage!

Explore the springs! Find out why Eureka Springs has it’s name and take a walk through downtown. Might I recommend taking your sweetie to Sweet Spring for a refreshing jaunt?

Shop! Downtown Eureka is full of eclectic little shops with everything from kitchenware to clothes. Take a walk only one or two blocks in either direction from the venue and you’ll be bound to find something that you just must have!

Grab a pizza at Chelsea’s Corner Cafe and Bar. This place is a local favorite with a growing lineup of bands cycling through year-round themselves. Not to be missed.

Wander over to Brews and grab coffee or a beer. They’re open from 8am-11pm today and tomorrow and from 8am-9pm on Sunday.

Have lunch at the Oasis on Saturday or Sunday. The original Ark-Mex cuisine is super yum and the restaurant will be open from 10am-2:30pm this weekend.

Grab snacks! Hop over to the Eureka Market and load up on snacks to stock your hotel room for quick between set snack breaks. The bars are flowing and you don’t want to get drunk AND hangry!

Try something new! Whether it’s a new dance move, borrowing someone’s hula hoop, joining in the group jams at the end of the night, trying some new kind of food, or poking your head in a chilly spring cave – I guarantee you’ll be making memories and having a blast!

Let me know how it goes in the comments! Can you do all ten? Do you have other suggestions? Put them down there! And, see you on the dance floor!

Hey! This is the beginning of a whole weekend’s worth of posts about OzMoMuFest. I’ve been granted free access to the festival in order to share all about it right here on my blog. All opinions are most def. my own.